crate barker

[Katys mom]

This brings back all of those bad memories! I think during that time I swore that I would never have another new puppy.

I know that some people have good success with the crate, but it did not work for us. I finally just boxed her in an area in the kitchen. I put her bed in there and gradually started making it bigger. I was really glad my husband was away during that time.

Katy is almost 9 months old and still only has access to the living room, study, kitchen and dining room.

Now the crate is in the living room with the door open. Sometimes she will just go sit in there. As long as we do not zip it up she is ok. We also use it for long drives.

Good luck!

[SnowWa]

My pup slept with me from the first night I got him - never a peep, snuggled up and slept 5 to 6 hours and now he'll sleep forever if I do. Very few accidents, but he wears a belly band at night just in case.

I think that when we get these little guys at 8 to 12 weeks old - they just aren't ready to sleep alone yet. Can you imagine going from a comforting mother and litter mates to being alone in a crate - in a new place with your mother and litter mates gone........? It has to be hard, and they must be so lonesome and confused. I just haven't the heart to leave them alone and let them cry.

Also - this may be totally wrong, but I also do what I did what I could to keep my pup from barking for as long as possible. I just didn't what him to know that a "bark bark bark" was inside him. And, I think he barked only twice the first month I had him. He did make a lot of other cute little noises though. And now - he barks very seldom. I think that keeping him from barking a lot when he was a little puppy has helped keep him from barking now that he's older.

Also - making a puppy feel secure does the opposite of what you might think it will do. Instead of making the puppy a clinging little thing - being secure makes them more independent and willing to venture out and do things on their own - and not have to be with you every minute. I am sure it makes them better adjusted and more balanced in every way. And, a secure little puppy is more sociable also. They have become much more quickly bonded to a person and are much more trusting.

Anyway - if possible, I think letting these little guys - especially when they first leave their mother - sleep with us is the best thing all around.

Carol Jean